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Cardiac Rehabilitation & Support

Following heart surgery or a cardiac injury, such as a heart attack, cardiac rehabilitation at UHS helps you regain strength and protect your well-being.

If you’ve completed cardiac rehabilitation or simply want to improve your health, take advantage of our Health and Wellness personalized exercise program. At UHS, you’ll find guidance and encouragement to get you and your heart in good shape.

Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation

UHS’ cardiac rehabilitation program is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). That means you’ll benefit from:

An individual treatment plan tailored to you

Skilled medical professionals with extensive training in heart care

Close supervision to keep you safe and help you meet your goals

What to Expect During Cardiac Rehabilitation

You’ll start cardiac rehabilitation phase I—gentle, everyday activities—while in the hospital for treatment of a heart attack or other heart condition. An exercise physiologist or physical therapist will develop an activity plan for you for phase II, which invites you to join a medically supervised exercise class two to three times a week. You’ll work out at your own pace over 12 to 18 weeks and make progress toward your fullest possible recovery. With a physician’s referral, you may transition to phase III, a long-term program to maintain your heart health. Take part in this individualized, medically supervised exercise program on your own schedule. Cost is $40 per month.

Advantages of Cardiac Rehabilitation

When you commit to your rehabilitation plan, you may experience: • Healthier blood pressure and cholesterol levels • Less need for certain heart medications • More endurance and energy

Support from Peers & Professionals

Several heart patients will join you in cardiac rehabilitation, so you enjoy camaraderie and peer support. You’ll get one-on-one attention from heart care specialists who monitor your health throughout each session, answer your questions and show you how to perform specific exercises.

A physician supervises your team of an exercise physiologist and a registered nurse trained in advanced cardiac life support in case of emergency. A dietitian may help you choose heart-healthy foods, and a social worker may connect you with community resources and teach you how to cope with your condition.

Insurance Covers Cardiac Rehabilitation

UHS Health & Wellness Program

You may benefit from our Health and Wellness Program, a personalized, medically supervised exercise regimen, if you:

Completed cardiac rehabilitation phase II

Experience high blood pressure or high cholesterol

Have a family history of heart disease

Live with diabetes

Simply want to lose weight or get fit

Learn how to take advantage of the Health and Wellness Program.

Heart Support Groups & Services

If you or someone you love is living with a heart or vascular condition, find the practical and emotional support you need from the UHS community.

Hearts at Home

Learn how to recover in the best way possible from a heart procedure, and get a personalized, at-home lifestyle plan to promote your continued heart health. To help you manage your symptoms and live a healthy, independent life, you’ll get assistance from:

Registered nurse care manager

Referring physician

Physical therapist

Occupational therapist

Dietitian

Social worker

Home health aide

Mended Hearts Support Group

Get the help, support and encouragement you need to improve your or a loved one’s quality of life living with heart disease or a heart condition in the Mended Hearts support group.

Meet with volunteers and group members, all of whom have experienced a heart condition, on the fourth Monday of every month in rooms 5B and 5C on the fourth floor of the Picciano Building at UHS Wilson Medical Center. Meetings include providing you with health information as well as time for socialization. For more information and to confirm the next meeting time, call 607-785-1017.